The tanker’s 24 crew members are safe, with no reported injuries.
Dubai authorities confirmed early Tuesday that a fire on the Kuwaiti crude oil tanker Al Salmi, anchored in Dubai waters, has been successfully extinguished. The Dubai Government Media Office reported that there was no oil leakage following the incident, as response teams quickly stabilized the situation. All 24 crew members were safely secured, and no injuries were reported.
The Al Salmi tanker caught fire on Monday while anchored at Dubai Port (Anchorage “E”), sustaining damage to its hull. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) reported that the fully loaded vessel was struck by Iranian drones, resulting in material damage.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that no environmental impact has been reported. According to the Company Security Officer, an unknown projectile struck the starboard side of the vessel, causing a fire, while all crew members remain safe and accounted for.
In the early hours of Tuesday, the Dubai Government Media Office said authorities were responding to a drone attack on the Kuwaiti tanker, with maritime firefighting teams working to control the blaze.
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) stated that efforts are underway to assess damage to the tanker. Lloyd’s List Intelligence identifies KPC as the parent company of Al Salmi’s registered owner and commercial operator. In a statement, KPC described the incident as a “direct and malicious Iranian attack” while the vessel was in the anchorage area.
This strike is the latest in a series of attacks on merchant ships in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, where missiles and explosive drones have targeted vessels since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28.
Earlier on Monday, a Greek-owned container ship off the coast of Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura reported two separate incidents in which projectiles struck the water near the vessel, according to maritime security experts.
